Automatic car door lock



Sept. 17, 1963 v u. R. BECK 6,

101 0111110 CAR DOOR LOCK Filed Nov. 24, 1961 9 Sheets-Sheet 1 IN V ENTOR. Mas/w R. BECK ATTaR/VE Y;

Sept. 17, 1963 u. R. BECK AUTOMATIC CAR DOOR LOCK 9 Sheets-Sheet 2 FiledNov. 24, 1961 FIG. 3

INVENTOR. (/RBAN A. BECK BY ATTaRNE- r Sept. 17, 1963 u. R. BECKAUTOMATIC CAR DOOR LOCK 9 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed Nov. 24, 1961 INVENTOR.URBAN R. BECK BY %WW-W ATTORNEVJ Sept. 17, 1963 u. R. BECK 3,104,124

AUTOMATIC CAR DOOR LOCK Filed Nov. 24, 1961 9 Sheets-Sheet 4 INV EN TOR.URBAN R. BECK z/ waiw A'rroRNEY- Sept. 17, 1963 u. R. BECK AUTOMATIC CARDOOR LOCK 9 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed Nov. 24, 1961 FIG. 8

M m w m m W WW N A m l Wm W Sept. 17, 1963 u. R. BECK 3,104,124

AUTOMATIC CAR DOOR LOCK Filed Nov. 24, 1961 9 Sheets-Sheet 6 INVEN TOR.URBAN R. BECK ATTORNEYS Sept. 17, 1963 u. R. BECK 3,104,124

AUTOMATIC CAR DOOR LOCK Filed Nov. 24, 1961 9 Sheets-Sheet 7 INV EN TOR.URBAN R. BECK ArroRlvEKr Sept. 17, 1963 u, BECK 3,104,124

AUTOMATIC CAR DOOR LUCK Filed Nov. 24, 1961 9 Sheets-Sheet 8 FIG. 72

INV EN TOR. URBAN R. BECK ATTORNEYS p 7, 1963 u. R. BECK 3,104,124

AUTOMATIC CAR DOOR LOCK Filed Nov. 24, 1961. 9 Sheets-Sheet 9 INV ENTOR. URBAN R. BECK United States Patent 3,104,124 AUTOMATIC CAR HOURLUCK Urban R. Beck, 534-3 Portiand Ave., Minneapolis, Minn. Filed Nov.24, 1961, Ser. No. 154,597 Claims. (Cl. 292-280) This invention is anovel automatic locking device for the latches of automobile doors. Aprincipal element of its novelty resides in the fact that it is operatedby a simple, mechanical inertial device which operates instantly andinvariably with an acceleration of the vehicle. A pendulum controlledsupport operates to either hold a control member in a positionsupporting the latch mechanism in operative position or allows thecontrol member to shift its position and thereby render the latchoperating mechanism inoperative. The structure is further novel inhaving a second or auxiliary pendulum arranged to prevent undesiredoperation of the automatic lock as when the vehicle is parked on anincline. The structure of this invention is also novel in providingmeans for rendering it totally ineffective if desired and in having themain pendulum assure the return to a vertical or normal position of theincline pendulum.

There have been many automatic locking devices proposed 'for automobilevehicle doors. Most of them have drawbacks of one sort or another. Allknown proposed automatic locks have been relatively complex requiringeither involved hydraulic or electrical mechanisms for operation. Inmany cases, some specific act must be performed consciously before theselocks come into eitect. Those which are triggered by inertia devices areprovided with some kind of a manual switch for rendering the lockineiiectual when on incline. These devices, that require conscious actsin order to render the system effectual to take into account varioussituations in which the vehicle is used, are not entirely satisfactoryas automatic safety locks, because they are frequently in an inoperativecondition when it is most essential that they be operative. Also, ofcourse, the complexity of many of these other proposed automatic lockshas caused them to be so expensive as to limit the number of persons whoare willing to have them installed.

Accordingly, it is a principal object of this invention to provide anovel automatic latch locking mechanism for automotive vehicles.

It is a further object of this inevntion to provide such an automaticlatch locking mechanism that is constantly operative without anyconscious act on the part of the user.

It is a further object of this invention to provide such an automaticlatch locking mechanism that automatically adjusts itself to inclinedparking so as to operate only as intended.

It is yet another object of this invention to provide an automatic latchlocking mechanism which will automatically re-establish itself inoperating condition when the vehicle that was parked on an incline hasbeen moved to a substantially level roadway.

It is yet another object of this invention to provide an automatic doorlatch locking device which is simple enough to be relatively inexpensivefor the purchaser.

Still another object of this invention is to provide an automatic doorlatch locking device which although automatic and constantlyre-adjusting itself to changing conditions as to be ready for operationat any time, is nevertheless capable of being rendered ineifective whendesired.

Still another object of this invention is to provide an automatic doorlatch locking device that is adaptable to door latches commonly in useon automatic vehicles.

3,104,124 Patented Sept. 17, 1963 Yet another object of this inventionis to provide an automatic door latch locking device that is operated bythe inertia of a pendulum and requires no outside source of energy tofunction.

It is a further object of this invention to provide an automatic doorlatch locking device, the parts of which are substantiallyinterchangeable from right to left hand side of the vehicle and equallyapplicable for the front or rear doors.

Other and further objects of the invention are those inherent andapparent in the apparatus as described, pictured and claimed.

To the accomplishment of the foregoing and related ends, this inventionthen comprises the features hereinafter fully described and particularlypointed out in the claims, the following description setting forth indetail certain illustrative embodiments of the invention, these beingindicative, however, of butra few of the various ways in which theprinciples of the invention may be employed.

The invention will be described with reference to the drawings in whichcorresponding numerals refer to the same parts and in which:

FIGURE 1 is a fragmentary, reduced scale, side elevational view of anautomobile door with portions thereof broken away to illustrate thelocation of the automatic latch locking mechanism; hidden parts areillustrated with broken lines;

FIGURE 2. is a side elevation of the locking mechanism with portionsthereof broken away to conserve space and hidden parts shown with brokenlines; the scale is full size; as are the balance of the figures;

FIGURE 3 is a sectional view taken on line 3-3 of FIGURE 4 which is thestructure illustrated in FIG- URE 2 but with the parts shown indifferent adjusted position; broken lines again illustrate hidden parts;

FIGURE 4 is a vertical section of the locking mechanism taken on theline and in the direction of the arrows 44 on FIGURE 3; and with thelatch mechanism shown in side elevation; broken lines illustrate hiddenparts;

FIGURE 5 is a view of the latch portion of the mechanism illustrated inFIGURE 4 shown in a different adjusted position; broken lines illustratehidden parts;

FIGURE 6 is a fragmentary view of the structure shown in FIGURE 1 butviewed from the opposite side; again portions of the structure aredeleted to conserve space and to illustrate portions of its constructionmore fully and hidden parts are shown with broken lines; broken linesalso illustrate an adjusted position of one part;

FIGURE 7 is a fragmentary sectional view taken on the line and in thedirection of the arrows 77 of FIG- URE 6; broken lines illustrate hiddenpar-ts;

FIGURE 8 is a view of the mechanism shown in FIG- UR-E 3 but with theparts in a diiferent adjusted position, broken lines illustrate hiddenparts;

FIGURE 9 is a view of the structure shown in FIG- URE 5 but with theparts in a diiferent adjusted position; broken lines show hidden parts;FIGURE 8 is an additional view of the structure illustrated in FIGURE 3in a different adjusted position;

FIGURE 10 is a sectional view taken on the line and in the direction ofthe arrows 10-10 of FIGURE 9; broken lines illustrate hidden parts;

FIGURE L1 is a similar view to that illustrated in FIGURES 3 and 8 butwith the device shown as it would be with the vehicle on an incline;broken lines illustrate hidden and adjusted positions of parts;

FIGURE 12 is a view similar to FIGURES 3, 8 and 11 showing a modified=form of the automatic locking mechanism; broken lines illustrate hiddenparts; and

FIGURE 13 is a view of the mechanism illustrated in 3 FIGURE '12 withparts in a different adjusted position; broken lines illustrate hiddenparts.

With reference to FIGURE 1, at is shown a portion of a car body, in thiscase, the back edge of a rear door opening but which shows how the partswould be arranged also at the center post for a front door. The outsidepanel of the door is shown at 11. Door 11 is provided with the usualWindow 12 and door opening handle 14. At 15 may be seen the shield whichsurrounds the gear on the door which reacts with the rack secured to thecar to latch the door. Button 16 is used to manually either lock orunlock the latch mechanism which in general is designated by the number17. At 18 is the usual inside door handle by means of which the latchmechanism may be operated to open the door from the inside.

Turning next to FIGURE 3, there is shown a latch frame 19 to which issecured pivotally a control member 20. The pivotal connection betweenthe control member 20 and frame 19 is designated 21. Control member 20has an extending end that is bifurcated as at 22 between thebifurcations of which extends the end of a latch linkage member 24.

In the position shown in FIGURE 2, linkage member 24 has been placed insuch a position as to render it useless in the linkage chain necessaryfor releasing the latch mechanism of the door.

Referring again to FIGURE 3, a suitable resilient member such as thetension spring 25 is secured as to anchor 26 on frame 19 and to a pin 27on control member 20. Spring 25 then constantly urges control member 26into the position shown in FIGURE 2 in which the linkage member 24 isrendered inoperative. To resist this tendency of control member 20 topivot down a pillar bar 28 is provided on top of which a pin 29 that isassociated slidably with control member 20 rests to hold the controlmember in a position shown in FIGURE 3 except under specificcircumstances to be detailed under the heading Operation. The slot inmember 2%; in which the pin 29 slides is identified by the numeral 39.Pillar bar '28 has an inertia energized Weight 31 secured to it and thebar is pivoted to frame 19 suitably as on pivot 32.

A secondary pivot bar or one referred to herein as the incline pillarbar 34 is also pivoted to frame 19 and preferably on the same axis aspillar bar 28. Weight 35 provides a means for moving incline pillar bar34 under certain circumstances to be detailed under operation.

Control memmer 20 is provided with guide means comprising a cut-out slot36 and a lip 37 formed and bent from frame 19 to engage lightly thecontrol member and merely to hold the outer end thereof in a trackingposition with respect to its pivot 21.

Pin 29 is embraced by a link member 38 which is pivoted as at 39 to theupper end of a fulcrum link 41). Fulcrum link 40 is pivoted to controlplate 20 suitably as at 41 and by suitable means such as the spring 42is constantly urged toward the left as shown in FIGURE 3. This urging isadequate to keep pin 29 at the left hand end of slot 30, as viewed inFIGURE 3, so long as button 16 is not depressed. A long connecting link44 extends from the same pivot 39 that secures link 38 to fulcrum link49. Long link '44 is secured to bell crank 45 with a lost motion meanssuch as slot 46. Any suitable means such as nut and bolt assembly 47 maybe used to secure the two.

Bell crank 45 is suitably pivoted as to the bracket 43 which is securedto the door itself. Rod 49 engages and is secured to bell crank 45 byhaving a hook bend in its end at 50. A bracket 51 stabilizes rod 49 forvertical sliding motion. By pushing rod 49 up and down and preferablywith a suitable handle or button such as that shown at 16, bell crank 45may be pivoted about its pivot point 52 on bracket 48. In so doing, theupper end of the bell crank will move to the right when 16 is pusheddown and to the left when 16 is pulled up. A

4. second control link 54 is also secured to the bell crank with boltand nut assembly 55, a shorter lost motion slot 56 and pivoted tofulcrum link 40 suitably as shown at 57.

At 53 is shown a portion of the linkage which releases the door latch.It is engaged by a bell crank 59 pivoted to frame 19 as at 60, used totranslate the action of door handle .18 (FIGURE 1) via rod 61 intomotion that will depress member 58.

Turning now to FIGURE 4, there is seen in side elevation a portion offrame 19 to which the latch mechanism per se is secured. The latchlinkage member 24 has a shoulder 62 formed thereon and additionally ispivoted as at 64 to the fulcrum link member 65. This fulcrum link member65 is also pivoted as at 66 to frame 19. A suitable resilient means suchas spring 67 engages the frame as at 68 and extends through a piercedcar 69 on fulcrum link 65 so as to urge the latter constantly into theposition illustrated in FIGURE 4. A portion 53 of fulcrum link 65extends through the portion of frame 19 that is oriented at 90 degreesto the portions here in side elevation and appears in FIGURE 3 at theleft hand side of the drawings. It is through this extension 58 thatbell crank 59 :is able to pivot the fulcrum link 65 to the positionshown in FIGURE 5 for purposes of opening the door with the inside doorhandle.

Flat surface 70 formed near the top of fulcrum link 65 is the portion ofthe fulcrum link that is engaged by the door opening push button of theoutside door handle 14. The door latch may be released either by pushingthe outside door handle button or by manipulating the inside doorhandle, and in each case fulcrum link 65 is tipped to the position shownin FiGURE 5.

Also pivoted to the frame member '19 is the dog link 71. The pivot forthis link may be any suitable member such as the rivet 72. Dog link 71has a dog 74 thereon which engages the ratchet gear 75 under theinfluence of spring 76 under conditions of repose as shown in FIGURE 4.Spring 76 is engaged over a boss '78 on the dog link 71 and a similarboss 79 on frame 19.

Ratchet gear 75 is mounted to be fixed in relation to a shaft 80 onwhich is also mounted as shown by the broken lines in FIGURE 5, the doorlatching gear 31. As shown in FIGURE 5, when linkage member 24 is heldelevated by the bifurcated cars 22 of support member 20 and the fulcrumlink 65 is advanced to the right as shown in FIGURE 5, shoulder 62 oflink 24 engages a bent over finger or other suitable projection 82 ondog link 71 thereby pivoting the latter to a position in which the dog74 is free from the ratchet gear 75. Under those conditions, the lockgear 81 is free to rotate in either direction and the door may beopened. When the pivot link 65 is allowed to move to the position towhich it is urged by spring 67, however, the dog 74 engages with theratchet gear 75 and then rotation only in a clockwise direction asviewed in FIGURE 4 is possible. Under these conditions, the door latchgear 81 may rotate in a direction to permit closing the door but cannotbe r0 tated in the other direction, hence the door will be latched andheld shut.

In FIGURE 6, an enlargement of the latch mechanism shown in FIGURE 1 isdisclosed. Here is shown clearly the relationship between the lockinggear 81 and the ratchet gear 75. Shield 15 illustrated in FIGURE 1appears clearly in this figure. Locking gear 81 reacts with the fixedrack member 84. This reaction is illustrated best in FIGURE .7 where thegear and rack are shown engaged as they would be with the door closedand latched. Stationary rack 84 is secured to the car body in anysuitable manner as by screws 85 or the like.

At the lower right hand side of FIGURE 6 is shown a structure whichpermits rendering the automatic locking device inoperative. In the wall36 of a door 11 is mounted a screw 87. It is preferably a fiat headedscrew and the wall is provided with a countersunk hole to receive itshead so that it is flush with the edge of the wall 86. A washer as at 88embraces the screw on the inside of the door and the screw 37 is therebyheld immobile With respect to the door except for rotation. A nut 89 isthreadably engaged on the screw 37 and has a portion thereof whichextends between the bifurcated cars 90 of L-lever 91. The lever ispivotally secured to the door by suitable means such as the pin 92.extend ing through the lever and the ears 94 secured to the door panel36. When the L-lever 91 is in the position shown in solid lines inFIGURE 6, the weight 31 of pillar bar 28 is free to swing toward theright. When screw *87 is rotated, however, so as to draw the nut 89toward the door panel and thereby pull the bifurcated ears of L-lever 91to the position shown in broken lines, the depending portion of L-member91 is pivoted outwardly to engage weight 31 and thereby prevent it frommoving toward the door panel 1'36. This will render the automaticlocking device inoperative as will be explained in detail under theheading Operation.

The structure shown in FIGURE 8 is substantially that illustrated inFIGURE 3 and is merely shown in a different adjusted position which willbe explained under the heading entitled Operation.

In FIGURE 9 is shown the structure that is illustrated in FIGURE 5, andit is shown in a condition in which the bifurcated end 22 of controlmember allows link member 24 to drop down. Under these conditions, it isclear that advancing the fulcrum link 65 will not produce any movementof dog link 71 because shoulder 62 of link member 24 has dropped belowthe finger 82 of the dog link 7 1. This is the condition of the latchingmechanism when it is locked. Manipulation of either the inside oroutside door handle will merely move the fulcrum link 65 without in anyway affecting the spring loaded position of dog link 71.

As appears clearly in FIGURE 9, a guide finger 95 is bent out of frame19 and engages the side of latch fulcrum link 65 to keep it inapproximate parallelism with the frame 19, as the link pivots.

A stop 96 is also formed on frame 19 to prevent latch fulcrum link 65-from being moved farther forward than necessary to operate the latch.FIGURE shows fulcrum link 65 against the stop 96-.

FIGURE shows the relationship of fulcrum link 65 to frame 19 and linkmember 24.

FIGURE 11 is another view of the structure illustrated in FIGURE 3 andshowing a dilferent adjusted position of the parts which again will bedescribed in detail under the heading Operation.

In FIGURE 12 is shown a view of a modified form of the structureillustrating the same portions thereof as shown in FIGURES 3 and 11. Inthe modified form shown in FIGURE 12, frame 19 remains the same as inthe basic unit illustrated in FIGURES 1 through 11. The same is true oflinkage member 24,. This is also true of bell crank 59 and the internaldoor latch connecting rod 61.

The support member 98 is very similar but has some slight modificationsto it and is hence assigned a new identifying numeral. It is pivoted toframe 19 as at 99 substantially the same as support member 29. Theprincipal difference between the two support members is that pin 100' inthe modified form is fixed in relation to the support member 98 and doesnot slide. Also, the control bars 44 and 45 and lock fulcrum link 4-0are replaced by a yoke member 101 connected by a connecting rod 102 to abell crank 10 4 that is pivoted on a bracket identical to the oneillustrated in FIGURES 1 through 11 and assigned the same number, 48.The control rod is substantially identical and hence also numbered 49and the control button is 16. Its bracket is also identical and numbered51. Yoke 101 is provided with a slot 1115 through which a suitable rivet166 extends and is anchored in frame 19. This provides the slidingconnection between frame 19 and yoke 101. A cam lever 107 is suitablypivoted as at 10 8 to a portion of the pillar bar 109.

The weight 110 of pillar bar 1119 is similar to the weight 3 1 exceptthat it carries a finger member 111 which may engage the bottom of theweight 112 of incline or auxiliary pillar bar 114. The pivot support forboth of these pillar bars is designated 115. As seen clearly in FIGURE12, the incline pillar bar extends slightly above the top of the mainpillar bar 109 and has a cutaway portion 116, the purpose of which willbe explained in detail under the heading Operation? As the two pillarbars are pivoted on the same shaft and lie adjacent to each other, camlever 107 will engage the upper portion of pillar bar 114-.

A pin as at 117 is rigidly secured to the upper end of the cam lever1117 and fits within a notch 118 of yoke 101. Thus, the cam lever 1G7 ispivoted in one direction or the other whenever the yoke member 101slides. The lower arm 118 of yoke 101 slidably embraces a rivet 119which is rigidly secured to the support member 98. As the slot in arm1155 of yoke 1111 is open at the left end as viewed in FIGURE 12, itwill exert a positive force on support 98 in only one direction. In theother direct-ion it serves as a lost motion connection between the twopieces.

As in the case of the unit illustrated in FIGURES 1 through 11, a spring121) is secured to an anchor 121 in frame 19 and a similar anchor 122 insupport member 98 to constantly urge that member to drop its outer endwhich supports the link 24. Pin 1011 resting on top of the pillar barholds the support member 98 in the position illustrated in FIGURE 12.

FIGURE 13 is another view of the structure shown in FIGURE 12 but withthe parts in an adjusted position which will be explained in connectionwith operation of the device.

Operation As shown in FIGURE 3, the automatic locking device isinoperative and the latch could be released as shown in FIGURE 5, ifdesired. With the initial forward motion of the car, however, weight 3 1will tend to remain stationary as the car advances and hence will tippillar bar 23 to the position shown in FIGURE 8. Since the top ofincline pillar bar 34- extends slightly above the top of pillar bar 28,pin 29 will not slide to the topof the incline pillar bar but insteadwill slide off pillar bar 28 and into the cutout portion 33 of pillarbar 54. Support member 211, consequently, moves to the depressedposition to which it is constantly urged by spring 25. Under theseconditions, latch linkage member 2 2 is in the posit-ion illustrated inFIGURE 9. Obviously, movement of latch fulcrum link 65 to the right willproduce no effect Whatever on dog link 71 as the latter is not engagedby shoulder 62 of the linkage member '24. This is the automatic lockcondition of the device on an initial start of the vehicle on a levelground.

Referring again to FIGURE 3, in which the car is standing stationary onlevel ground, the doors may be locked by depressing button 16. Whenbutton 16 is depressed, the upper end of bell crank 4-5 is moved towardthe right, thereby applying a pull on long link 44. This causes the topof lock fulcrum link 40* to be moved to the right also, which in turn,via connecting link 38 slides pin 29 from the top of pillar bar 28thereby allowing pin 29' and hence control member 20 to drop to a lowerlevel and again member 20 assumes the position illustrated in FIGURE 8although the pin 29 would be on the opposite side of pillar bar 28 underthese conditions. Effectively, however, link 24 is moved so as todisassociate shoulder 62 from finger 8 2 and hence the latch controllinghandles are again rendered inoperative.

Pin 29 may be returned to its raised position by moving button 16 in theopposite direction. When button 16 is raised with pin 29 on either sideof pillar bar 28 (with the vehicle standing on an approximately hori- 7zontal surface and not accelerating) the top of bell crank 45 is pivotedtoward the left as viewed in FIGURE 3. When the lock mechanism is lockedas shown in FIG- URE 8, the forward application of motion to the left ofbell crank 45 by pulling up on button 16 causes long link 54 to move ina leftward direction. Since pin 29 is as far to the left in slot 30under these circumstances as it can be, lock fulcrum link 4t) cannot bepivoted to the left and hence a pivoting force is applied to supportmember 26 at a point below its pivot point 21. This force overcomes theforce of spring 25 and support member 20 is pivoted up to the positionshown in FIGURE 3. Pillar bar 28 is allowed to reassume the supportingposition under the pin by reason of weight 31 trying to hang straightdown from pivot 32.

If the mechanism had been locked manually and pin 29 was at the rear ofslot 35 the force applied to lock fulcrum link 49 by long link 5dproduces a dual action of sliding pin 29 forward in slot 36 and up overthe rounded corner of pillar bar 28 and simultaneously tipping supportmember 2% up to aid in getting pin 29 back on top of pillar bar 28..Thus, pulling up on button 16 unlocks the structure regardless of howthe lock was actuated.

Referring once more to FIGURE 8, we see the position that the mechanismwould be in in the event that the vehicle were parked heading up a hill.Under these circumstances, any raising of button 16 would merely raisecontrol member 20 and pin 29 up in the air but there would be nothingfor the pin to rest on if pillar bar 28 and main weight 31 were the onlymeans of holding pin 29 up. Pillar bar 28 would remain in the relativeposition with respect to frame 19 as shown in FIG- URE 8. Release ofbutton 16 would permit a return to the locked position.

Referring to FIGURE 11, however, as soon as button 16 is raised to liftthe pin 29 by pivoting the support member 20 as described in connectionwith manual unlocking, the incline pillar bar 3-5 under the influence ofits weight 35, swings to the position shown in FIGURE 11 and pin 29 issupported by the upper end of the incline pillar bar 34. From thisposition, the mechanism may be manually locked or unlocked as describedwith the vehicle in a. horizontal position and standing still. As soonas the vehicle is moved to level ground, however, pin 29 drops back tothe top of pillar bar 23 as the result of the pillar bars swinging to astrictly vertical position as shown in FIGURE 3. Thus, the system isautomatically prepared for automatic locking upon acceleration of thevehicle, even though the pendulum lock mechanism is inoperative whilethe vehicle is resting facing up an incline.

The operation of the modification illustrated in FIG- URES l2 and 13 issimilar to but not identical to that illustrated in FIGURES l11. Pillarbar 109 supports pin 100 to hold support member 98 in its upper positionand therefore supporting link 24 in an operative condition as in thecase of pin 29 with pillar bar 28. When there is forward motion of thecar to the right as viewed in FIGURES l2 and 13, weight 110 tends tostand stationary, thus apparently moving it to the left as viewed inFIGURE 13. As shown in FIGURE 12, pin 160 is below the top surface ofincline pillar bar 114. For this reason pin 1% will lack support whenpillar bar 109 is pivoted from beneath the pin by the inertia of weight119. Under these conditions, pin 100 drops between the pillar bars toallow member 98 to assume the inoperative position illustrated in FIGURE13.

When pin 1'30 drops, support member 93 pivots down applying a rearwardthrust to pin 119 which in turn impinges on the yoke member 101 andforces it forward or to the right as viewed in FIGURES l2 and 13. Thisaction, through linkage 192, pivots the bell crank 164 to the positionshown in FIGURE 13 and pulls the locking button 16 down as though pusheddown manually.

When button l is raised manually, a leftward pivoting action is appliedat pin 119 through. the control linkage and this pivots the controlmember 93 about its pivot point 9'? raising pin 106 and also relievingpressure on the cam lever M7. The mechanism would therefore be returnedto the position illustrated in FIGURE 12.

When button 16 is depressed manually, the member lel is drawn toward theright via linkage 192 and the bell crank iii-l thereby applying arightward motion to pin 117 at the upper end of cum lever 107. As camlever N7 is secured to the upper end of pillar bar 199 and appliesleverage against incline pillar bar 114, there is a dual action ofpulling the upper end of pillar bar 109 to the right and forcing theincline pillar bar upper portions to the left. Again a slot is opened upinto which pin may drop, thereby locking the mechanism in the identicalfashion achieved when inertia moves the weight 110.

When the Vehicle is stopped facing up an incline, the door may bemanually unlocked and retained in that position by pulling up on button16 and thereby raising pin to the point where it will rest on the top ofincline pillar bar ll-"i. When the vehicle is returned to a levelcondition, two pillar bars assume a vertical position as shown in FIGURE12 with respect to the rest of the mechanism. Ear 111 of the heaviermain weight 119 assures that pillar bar 114 will not by reason of theweight of pin liill resting on it, be kept from assuming the verticalposition shown in FIGURE 12.

One advantage of this modification as opposed to the structure shown inFIGURES 1-11 is that the locking button to always discloses accuratelyand visually the condition of the latch mechanism. In the form of thedevice illustrated in FIGURES 1-11, the lost motion linkage makes itpossible for button 16 to be depressed only slightly when the device islocked as by the weight 31. Under these conditions, the vehicle door islocked but the lock button is not depressed as far as it might be in thecase of manual locking. A comparison of the position of button 16 inrelation to bracket 51 in FIG- URES 2 and 8 will illustrate this pointclearly.

The structure shown in FIGURES l2 and I3 has the further advantage thatthere are fewer pieces involved and pin 1% may be made stationary asopposed to the sliding construction of pin 29 illustrated in FIGURES1-11.

In the case of either of these structures, however, the incline pillarbar serves to prevent automatic operation of the device if the vehicleincorporating it is parked facing up a sloping street, but it willautomatically become effective again as soon as the vehicle approachesanything approximating a level condition. Thereafter, any accelerationof the vehicle will be adequate to cause the automatic lock to come intooperation.

it is also an important feature of this automatic looking device that itwill not interfere with the operation of structure in the latchmechanism which unlocks the latch if the door is merely slammed with thelock on. The purpose of this feature is to prevent accidentally lockingoneself out of the car. Whether the latch is locked by depressing button16 or by the action of the weight in swinging the door closed, thisunlocking structure will function to release the lock as the lock gearengages the rack during latching unless the button on handle 14 is helddepressed during latching. This is true, because this automatic lockingmechanism applies no direct locking force to the latch but only removesthe support for link 24.

It is apparent that many modifications and variations of this inventionas hereinbefore set forth may be made without departing from the spiritand scope thereof. The specific embodiments described are given by wayof example only and the invention is limited only by the terms of theappended claims.

What is claimed:

1. A door lock having a frame, a latch, control handles l 1 and linkagemembers interconnecting said latch and control handles,

A. at least one of said linkage members being pivotally secured toanother of said linkage members for movement into and out of operablerelationship with :a third of said linkage members,

B. a control plate (1) pivoted to said frame and (2) engaging saidpivoted linkage member (3) for moving said pivoted linkage member intoand out of operable position selectively,

C. a pin (1) secured to said control plate,

D. support means (1) movably secured to said frame and (2) engaging saidpin for holding said control plate in a position to make said pivotedlinkage member operable, and

E. inertia means secured to said support means for moving it away fromsaid pin in response to motion of said door lock in a given direction.

2. The structure of claim 1 in which F. manual means is (l) secured tosaid control plate (2) for moving said control plate to a position inwhich said pin is above said support means.

3. The structure of claim 2 in which G. an auxiliary support means is(l) movably secured to said frame near said control plate (2) saidauxiliary support means having a portion thereof that is engaged by saidpin to prevent said pin from being supported by said auxiliary supportmeans normally, and

F. said manual means (3) being adapted to move said control plate toplace said pin above said auxiliary support means.

4. The structure of claim 1 in which G. an auxiliary support means is(l) movably secured to said frame near said support means,

(2) said auxiliary support means extending above said support means toengage said pin when said control plate is raised and said lock isdisposed at an angle to the horizontal as to cause said inertia meanssecured to said support means to move it as though the door were beingmoved in said given direction.

5. A door lock mechanism having a frame and a latch,

A. including two misalignable portions for actuating said latch whensaid two misalignable portions are aligned,

B. a control plate (1) movably secured to said frame and (2) engagingone of said two misalignable portions for moving it into and out ofoperable position selectively,

C. a boss secured to said control plate,

D. a pillar bar (1) pivoted to said frame and (2) engaging said boss tohold said control plate in a position supporting said one misalignableportion in operable position, and

E. a weight l) secured to said pillar bar (2) spaced from its point ofpivotal attachment to said frame,

( 3) whereby inertia in said weight will pivot said pillar bar fromunder said boss when said door lock is moved in a given direction.

6. The structure of claim 5 in which an F. auxiliary pillar bar issecured to said frame on the pivot of said pillar bar,

G. a weight (1) secured to said auxiliary pillar bar,

(2) said auxiliary pillar bar having a portion of its top cutaway toform a boss receiving notch,

(3) the balance of its top extending above said pillar bar, and

H. manual means 1) secured to said control plate (2) for moving saidcontrol plate to a position in which said boss is above both of saidpillar bars.

7. The structure of claim 6 in which said Weight (G) secured to saidauxiliary pillar bar (F) is adjacent said weight (E) secured to saidpillar bar (D) I. a finger (l) secured to said pillar bar weight and (2)engaging said auxiliary pillar bar weight when said door lock is movedin a direction opposite to said given direction.

8. The structure of claim 6 in which means. movably mounted near saidframe is selectively engaged with and removed from the weight (E) ofsaid pillar bar (D) to prevent movement thereof relative to said fnameand allow freedom of movement alternatively.

9. The structure of claim 6 in which said manual means comprises:

J. a fulcrum link (1) pivoted to said support member (2) near said bossK. a spring (1) secured between said fulcrum link and said controlplate,

C. said boss (2) being slidably secured to said control plate,

L. a boss link (1) secured to said boss and said fulcrum link and M.means secured to said fulcrum link for applying pivoting force to it intwo directions.

10. The structure of claim 6 in which said manual means comprises:

N. a cam lever (1) pivoted to said control plate,

(2) and engaging said auxiliary pillar bar above its pivot,

O. a yoke 1) slidably secured to said frame,

(2) one side of said yoke secured to said cam lever,

(3) the other side of said yoke engaging said control plate below itspivot by a lost motion means and P. manual means secured to said yokefor sliding it in two directions.

11. The structure of claim 5 in which there is H. a manual means (1)secured to said control plate (2) for moving said control plate to placesaid lboss above both of said pillar bars and comprising a fulcrum link(1) pivoted to said support member (2) near said boss K. a spring (1)secured between said fulcrum link and said control plate,

C. said boss (2) being slidably secured to said control plate,

L. a boss link (1) secured to said boss and said fulcrum link and M.means secured to said fulcrum link for applying pivoting force to it intwo directions.

12. An improved automobile door latch structure having a frame, a latchsecured to said frame and operating handles normally connected to saidlatch by interconnect- 5 ing linkage, said interconnecting linkageincluding a 1 1 linkage member pivotally secured to another portion ofsaid linkage, a latch ratchet gear, and a latch dog pivotally secured tosaid frame and engaging said latch ratchet gear, said linkage memberhaving a shoulder thereon and said latch dog having a finger thereon,said shoulder normally engaging said finger to complete saidinterconnecting linkage, the improvement comprising:

A. a control member (1) pivotally secured to said frame, (2) engagingsaid linkage member and supporting it in latch dog engaging position. B.a spring (1) secured to said frame and said control member (2)constantly urging said control member into a position disassociatingsaid linkage member finger and said latch dog shoulder, C, a pinslidable in said control member, D. a pillar bar (1) pivotally securedto said frame and (2) engaging said pin to 'hold said control memberagainst the urging of said spring, E. a weight (1) secured to saidpillar bar (2) spaced from its point of pivotal attachment to said frame(3) for pivoting said pillar bar by inertia, and F. manual linkage (1)secured to said pin and said control member (2) for alternately slidingsaid pin from the top of said pillar bar and pivoting said controlmember to a position supporting said linkage member in operable positionand (3) simultaneously sliding said pin to the top of said pillar barwhen it is vertical, 13. The structure of claim 12 in which 12 G. ameans is (l) movably mounted near said weight and (2) selectivelyengaged with said weight to inhibit its movement relative to said frameand (3) disengaged from said weight to leave it free to move relative tosaid frame selectively. 14. The structure of claim 13 in which H. anincline pillar bar (1) is pivoted to said frame near said pillar bar,(2) said incline pillar bar top being taller than said pillar bar and F.said manual means (4) is capable of pivoting said control member toraise and slide sa-id pin to the top of said incline pillar bar whensaid door lock is inclined in a given direction. 15. The structure ofclaim 12 in which H. an incline pillar bar (1) is pivoted to said framenear said pillar bar, (2) said incline pillar bar top being taller thansaid pillar bar and F. said manual means (4) is capable of pivoting saidcontrol member to raise and slide said pin to the top of said inclinepillar bar when said door lock is inclined in a given direction.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS1,627,728 Conklin May 10, 1927 2,389,315 Kerr Nov. 20, 1945 2,904,365Cocleburn et al Sept. 15, 1959 FOREIGN PATENTS 223,464 Great BritainOct. 23, 1924

1. A DOOR LOCK HAVING A FRAME, A LATCH, CONTROL HANDLES AND LINKAGEMEMBERS INTERCONNECTING SAID LATCH AND CONTROL HANDLES, A. AT LEAST ONEOF SAID LINKAGE MEMBERS BEING PIVOTALLY SECURED TO ANOTHER OF SAIDLINKAGE MEMBERS FOR MOVEMENT INTO AND OUT OF OPERABLE RELATIONSHIP WITHA THIRD OF SAID LINKAGE MEMBERS, B. A CONTROL PLATE (1) PIVOTED TO SAIDFRAME AND (2) ENGAGING SAID PIVOTED LINKAGE MEMBER (3) FOR MOVING SAIDPIVOTED LINKAGE MEMBER INTO AND OUT OF OPERABLE POSITION SELECTIVELY, C.A PIN (1) SECURED TO SAID CONTROL PLATE, D. SUPPORT MEANS (1) MOVABLYSECURED TO SAID FRAME AND (2) ENGAGING SAID PIN FOR HOLDING SAID CONTROLPLATE IN A POSITION TO MAKE SAID PIVOTED LINKAGE MEMBER OPERABLE, AND E.INERTIA MEANS SECURED TO SAID SUPPORT MEANS FOR MOVING IT AWAY FROM SAIDPIN IN RESPONSE TO MOTION OF SAID DOOR LOCK IN A GIVEN DIRECTION.